CITY COUNCIL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
Hybrid Meeting
May 8, 2023
5:30 p.m.
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Council Member Francisco Zermeño.
ROLL CALL:
Members:
Present
▪ Julie Roche, City Council Member/CSC Chair (Joined at 5:35 p.m.) ▪ Angela Andrews, City Council Member
▪ Francisco Zermeño, City Council Member
Staff:
▪ Alex Ameri, Director of Public Works
▪ Nicole Grucky, Sustainability Specialist
▪ Linda Ko, Senior Secretary (Meeting Recorder)
▪ Jeff Krump, Solid Waste Program Manager
▪ Erik Pearson, Environmental Services Manager
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
1. Approval of Minutes of the Council Sustainability Committee (CSC) Meeting Held on March 13, 2023
The item was moved by Council Member Andrews, seconded by Council Member Zermeño, and approved with two votes.
2. Litter Assessment by Litterati
Nicole Grucky, Sustainability Specialist, presented the informational report on the Litter Assessment.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Committee Comments
Council Member Andrews asked if the cigarette butt collection boxes could be used to display public art to prevent vandalism on them. Director Alex Ameri responded that this may be possible as long as the windows on the boxes were not covered. Council Member Andrews also inquired if staff could offer grocery stores and other stores located at litter hot spot locations the option to adopt-a-block. Director Ameri responded that staff will investigate this possibility.
Council Member Roche emphasized the importance of having businesses take responsibility for the trash they produce and to have trash cans available on their premises for customers.
Ms. Grucky stated that staff could look into adding a trash requirement to the conditions of approval for businesses to address this issue. Council Member Roche suggested bringing back sand receptacles for cigarette butts.
Council Member Zermeño supported the cigarette butt ballot bins but added that he would prefer for them to be covered with art so that they did not appear unsightly in public areas.
Council Member Zermeño inquired if Measure D funds could be used for the cigarette butt bins. Staff stated they would look into this possibility.
Council Member Andrews suggested, if the cigarette butt bins are implemented, to provide education to the public as to what they are and how to use them so that they are not vandalized or destroyed. Director Ameri stated, if the bins were implemented, staff would start with a pilot program with one or two bins initially to monitor how they performed.
All Council Sustainability Committee members were in favor of an initial pilot program.
ELECTION OF CHAIR
Council Member Andrews nominated Council Member Roche as the Chair of the Council Sustainability Committee, the motion was seconded by Council Member Zermeño and approved unanimously.
3. New Solid Waste and Recycling Franchise Agreement: Update on Implementation – Review and Comment
Jeff Krump, Solid Waste Program Manager, presented the report on the new Solid Waste and Recycling Franchise Agreement with Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC).
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Committee Comments
Council Member Andrews suggested considering adding mosaic art to the concrete trash receptacles to deter vandalism. Council Member Andrews stated she was not in support of the rolling trash bins with the metal coverings.
Council Member Zermeño suggested the possibility of green trash cans, Hayward’s color, instead of black and also suggested reaching out to StopWaste regarding funds to paint public litter cans.
Council Member Roche suggested that using hang tags for trash requirement violations could be more effective than a mailer or an email sent to the customer.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
4. Proposed 2023 Agenda Planning Calendar: Review and Comment Mr. Pearson shared the proposed 2023 agenda planning calendar with the Committee.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Committee Comments
Council Member Andrews stated she was excited about having a Food Hall on A Street but was also concerned about the trash it will generate. She suggested having a compost demonstration at the Food Hall location and the Matt Jimenez Community Center to make sure that trash does not get out of hand at both locations.
Council Member Roche suggested thinking about ways staff could incentivize members of the public to retrofit their homes to electric. Mr. Pearson said that there are rebates for electric induction stoves through the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) as well as for air conditioning. He added that staff would work on getting information together for the public.
COMMITTEE MEMBER/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REFERRALS:
Mr. Pearson shared that the next Compost Giveaway would be held on Saturday, May 20th, at the old SkyWest Golf Course parking lot.
Council Member Andrews suggested using the old Hayward City Hall as a public art piece or possibly setting up a garden or a light show at the location to prevent the building from becoming an eyesore. Direct Ameri stated that he would discuss the options with Maintenance Services Department Director Rullman and would report back to the CSC.
ADJOURNMENT: 6:53 p.m.
MEETINGS
Attendance Present
5/8/23
Meeting
Present
to Date This
Year
Excused
to Date This
Year
Absent
to Date This
Year
Julie Roche ✓ 2 0 0
Angela Andrews ✓ 2 0 0
Francisco Zermeño ✓ 1 0 0